In a continent pulsing with fintech innovation, Visa’s recent backing of two African startups—Morocco’s PayTic and DR Congo’s Konnect—has sent a strong signal that Africa is no longer a testing ground, but a frontier for next-gen financial services. The announcement was made during the Demo Day of the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator Program’s third cohort, hosted at Gitex Africa 2025 in Marrakech, the region’s premier tech and innovation summit.
Visa’s investment in these two standout startups is more than just a funding story—it reflects a deliberate strategy to embed itself deeply into Africa’s fast-evolving digital economy, while empowering local players who are reshaping how money moves on the continent.
Both PayTic and Konnect bring fresh, practical solutions to Africa’s payment challenges, demonstrating that fintech success is not just about flashy apps, but solving real-life frictions.
PayTic (Morocco). Specializing in digital payment security, PayTic offers automation tools that simplify backend management for banks and financial institutions. From real-time fraud detection to secure transaction processing, the startup addresses growing concerns around payment integrity and regulatory compliance, particularly as digital payments skyrocket across North Africa.
Konnect (DR Congo). On the other side of the continent, Konnect is creating impact through accessibility. Its instant payment solution allows users to make or receive payments via simple links sent by SMS, email, or messaging apps—no need for banking apps or complex integrations. This is a game-changer for Africa’s vast un-banked and semi-banked populations who rely heavily on basic mobile services.
In a region where financial inclusion and digital security are top priorities, these solutions aren’t just innovative—they’re urgently needed.
Visa’s direct investment in these fintechs is not business-as-usual. For years, large global firms have observed Africa’s fintech boom from a distance. But Visa is stepping in with boots on the ground and capital in hand. Visa plans to invest $1 billion in Africa by 2027, focusing on digital payments, fintech infrastructure, and financial inclusion. The support of Konnect and PayTic reflects tangible steps toward that goal.
This year’s accelerator cohort was 85% women-led or managed, up from 65% in the previous round. In a global tech environment still battling gender disparity, this milestone is worth celebrating. Visa’s push for inclusive leadership could pave the way for more gender-balanced innovation ecosystems across the continent. The Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator isn’t just about money. The 12-week program includes mentorship, skills training, regulatory insight, and investor matchmaking. Founders emerge not just with funds, but with sharper strategies and stronger networks. With previous cohorts including startups from Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, and now expanding to North and Central Africa, Visa is building a continent-wide innovation map—one that spans Francophone and Anglophone regions alike.
Visa’s announcement at Gitex Africa 2025 is symbolic. Held in Morocco’s vibrant tech hub of Marrakech, Gitex Africa has become the go-to gathering for digital leaders, tech giants, and government stakeholders. It’s where global capital meets African creativity, and where startups like PayTic and Konnect can grab the spotlight on a global stage.
By aligning its fintech push with Gitex, Visa isn’t just investing in startups. It is participating in a broader narrative, Africa is rising, and its tech sector is the engine.
What’s clear from Visa’s approach is that fintech in Africa is no longer an app-based novelty—it’s becoming core infrastructure.
With over 60 startups already supported through the accelerator since its 2023 launch, Visa is banking on local players to modernize payment ecosystems, reduce cash dependency, and unlock financial services for the underbanked. These efforts are especially crucial in regions where traditional banking remains inaccessible, and mobile money is the default transaction medium.
Visa plans to announce its next accelerator cohort on June 2, 2025. If the momentum continues, we can expect deeper engagement, more regional diversity, and stronger focus on impact-driven fintechs.
For now, Konnect and PayTic stand as powerful examples of what African ingenuity can produce when given the right resources and recognition.
